Feeding or driving mechanism



April 23, 1935. w". F. FocHA 1,998,714

FEEDING OR DRIVING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 9, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1:EEE-Er. mh

INVENTOR. l/l//LL/AM FFOCHA f BYM/ ATTORNEY w. F. FocHA 1,998,714

FEEDING QR DRIVING MECHANISM Filed Deo. 9, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W/LL/AM/CFOCHA BY AT'ToRgg/? April 23, 1935.

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April 23, 1935. w. F. FocHA FEEDING 0R DRIVING MECHANISM Filed Deo. 9,1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 El ||I|||||I| INVENTOR W/L/ IAM FIL-OCHA ATTORNEYApril 23, 1935. w; F. FOCHA 1,998,714

FEEDING OR DRIVING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 9, 1953 4 sheets-sheet 4INVENTOR. l/l//LL/AM L /:001A

A TTORNEY Patentedl Apr. 23, 1935 i PATENT oFFIcE 1,998,711 v FEEDING onDRIVING LMECHANISM William F. Focha, Piedmont, Calif.,'assignor toWailes Dove-Hermiston Corporation,

New

York, N. Y., a corporation of New York y Application December 9, 1933,Serial No.'7(l1,663 17 claims. (c1. 242-11) Statement of invention Myinvention relates to a feeding or driving mechanism, and moreparticularly to., a mechanism for imparting to a cylindrically shapedobject, such asa pipe, a combined rotary and longitudinal movement. In aspecific sense, theinvention pertains to pipe Wrapping machinery,whereby the pipe can be spirally Wrapped as a result of the motionwhich'my feeding or driving mechanism imparts to the pipe; t

Introduction Pipe wrapping machines of the kind imparting a combinedrotary and longitudinal movement to theV pipe, are generally of twoclasses. They are the roller drive machine and the beltvdrive machine.lIn the latter type of machine, a' driven belt engages the pipe at aselected'angle. It is extremely diicult to prevent ,the belt fromwobbling and thereby imparting Wobbling to the pipe. Furthermore, inlthe belt type of machine, there is always the problem of obtainingsuflicient frictional engagementof the belt with the pipe. The rollertype of machine generallycomprises three or more radiallydisposedrollers adjustable to a selected angle. These rollers have arcs Whichare opposed to the arc of the pipe and, therefore, have only pointcontact With the pipe, vvhich results more or less in wobbling of thepipe as the rollers are driven. l On account of the limited pointcontact of each roller with the pipe, considerable pressure must beapplied on the rollers to provide for traction. Because a drive must beimparted to the rollers which are angularly and radially adjustable, thedriving mechanism and mounting of the rollers necessitate a complicatedand expensive construction.

Objects of invention 'I'he feeding or driving` mechanism of my inventionis of such construction as to obviate the disadvantages of the foregoingdescribed types of machines. l y Y It is an object of my inventiontoKprovide a driving or feedingmechanism for imparting a combined rotaryand longitudinal movementvrto a cylindrically shaped object, and whichis of an extremely simple and economical construction.

Another object of my invention is the provision of driving mechanism, ofthe character described, which engages the lpipe over a relatively longarc to provide for a positive movement ofthe pipe withoutV Wobblingthereof, and to provide for a largefarea of contactv vvithV the pipethereby enhancing traction. y l A y.Another object of my inventionis theprovision ofV a driving mechanism in the form of annular means providingapipe engaging arc extending in the same .direction 'asthe arc ofthepipe.

I Another wobject of,my invention is the provisionof"drivin`g,mechanisimof the character dei scribed, Ywhich Visadjustableto vary the feed of Athe pipe.

A A further object ,of my invention is the provisionof non-rollerdriving mechanism.

An additional objectof my invention is thef provision of a pipewrappingmachine of simple and*economicalconstruction. j

My invention hasfor its objects numerous othezfeatures, which Willbecome apparent from a vperusal of the' following description of theindvention. VInthe description, the term pipe is meant to apply toany'cylindrically shaped object as Well Vas to pipes. i

General description of invention In generaljterms, the driving'mechanismof `my invention comprises annular means through vvhichthe pipe isadapted to pass, which is adjustable tobe setat Ya selected angle Withrespect to the pipe and isv alsov rotatable aboutvits axis; Because oftheangular setting ofthe annular'means, the pipe is contacted overA anextended arc disposed atan angle Withjrespect to the longitudinal axisof lthe pipe; and as such annular means is rotated, the pipe is given acombined rotary and longitudinal movement. An important discovery`which* Iy have madeis 'that if a ring throughbwhicha pipe extends, isdisposed at an acute angle with respect to the axis of the pipe, it Willcontact the pipe over an extended arc, although it Will have only lavpoint contact with the pipe when the plane o f the ring is dis,- posedatja right angle to the axisof'the pipe. If such ring is rotated Whileat any acute angle With respect to the laxis of the pipe, the pipe Willbe given a combined rotary and longitudinal movement. Thus, the typeofdrive of my invention, in contradistinction tothe roller type of drive,has an arc"contact with the pipeto insure positive feedingv of the pipeWithout Wobbling. l Y

The combined rotary andy longitudinal movement of the lpipe is.utilized'to eiect unwinding from a roll of Wrapping material set at aselected angle withA respectto the pipe, of Wrapping Whichis,consequen`tly, Wound helically about the pipe in the usual manner..lf I Description of drawings the machine shown through the driving orpipe feeding mechanism..

Figure is a fragmentary section taken ina plane indicated by line 5--5of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a plan View of a modified form of driving' mechanism.

Figure 7 is a sectional sidev elevation, of the structure shown AinFigure 6, looking in the direction of arrow1 shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is an end elevation of another 'modif fied driving mechanism.

Figure 9 is section taken at jline vll-Slof Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectionffof a still further modied formf'ofdrYm-gmp'msm' 'It' peripheral iianges'42. contacting rollers 39. The

Detailed description With referenceto Figures 1 `and'.2 ,fa preferredform `of apparatus of myinvention,inthe form particularly adapted forWrapping of pipe, comprises driving mechanism, indicated generally byreference, character I, for imparting a'combined rotary and longitudinalmovement.' to pipe 2, which -can be suitablyv supported adjacent itsends, in addition to thesupport provided by the driving mechanismhereinafter described. Y

The combined rotary andv longitudinal movement of the pipe is utilizedto effect spiral wrapping, in the usual manner,I oflmaterial such asroofing felt, froma roll 3 thereof. Roll 3 is mounted on table 4 adaptedto move over arcuate trackway- 6 having .a true .radial curvature,1thecenter yof which is .determined by a point directly under thelongitudinal'axis `of pipe- 2. Thus, table 4 canbemoved over 'trackwaylIi,V to .a position which will .cause feeding of thewrapping strip 1 inthe proper direction'. Trackway 6 is joined to a side Vof tank 8 whichcontains suitable adhesive material, such as `hot bitumen, for unitingthe wrapping to the pipe. In order to provide for final .adjustment ofthe roll 3, so as to have the proper lead off angle of strip 1 to thepipe, ran adjustable connection is utilized. The connection comprisesthreaded rod 9 .connected to table 4 and screw threadedin bracketll se.-cured to trackway 6; the rod Y9 beingheld in adjusted position by meansof locknut I2. v Suitable strip tensioning means-I3 provided, to insurethat the wrapping strip feeds to the 4vpipe without any slack therein. Y

As the pipe is fed forwardlywith a rotary motion by the feed mechanism'vI, the wrapping strip 1 winds helically about the pipe from Vroll 3; theangle of feed of strip 1 and the movement relationship of pipe 2 beingsuch as to cause overlapping of the strip convolutions on the pipe,thereby causing the entire pipe to be covered. Y

For applying the adhesive material in tank 8, onto the wrapping, Vapump; I4v is'providedin tank 8. The pump dischargesthe.adhesiveuid intoconduit I6 having curved upper neckl I1r which directs the adhesive ontothe strip 1 adjacent the line of contact of the strip with the pipe, asis shown more clearly in Figure 2. Pump I4 is driven from Reeves driveI8 by means of shaft I9, chain 2i and shaft 22; the Reeves drive beingin turn driven by suitable prime mover 23.

The preferred construction of my feed or drive mechanism will now bedescribed; it being understood that such mechanism can be employed forimparting a combined rotary and longitudinal movement toanycylindrically shaped object, al-

though it is of particular applicability in a pipe wrapping machine.Such feed mechanism (Figs. 1 thru 5) comprises an annular split framewhich includes llower semi-cylindrical, U-shaped section v3| 'to whichis detachably secured upper semicylindrical,A U-shaped section 32, bymeans of mating flanges 33at the ends of said sections and suitablefastening means 34 extending through the flanges. Lower section 3| (Fig.4) has cylindrically shapedboss 36 journaled for rotation in support 31secured on frame 38 (Figs. 1 and 2). Thus, the annular split frame 3|,32 is mounted for angular adjustment about an upright axis perpendicularto the axis of the pipe (Fig. 3)

` Journaled for rotation in annular frame 3|, 32 by means of rollers 39mounted in the frame, is a driving ring 4| (Figs. 4 and 5) having spaceddriving ring can be-'readily positioned lwhen the frame sections 3| and32 are detached; and upon securing together of sections V3| and 32,driving ring 4| is securely held in place. A detachable annular section43, for a purpose to be subsequentlydescribed, is provided for thedriving ring 4|; the section being securedto inwardly projectingannularjfiange 44 on part 4|, by means of fastening bolts 46.

. Rotation of the driving ring in split frame 3| 3,2 is effected bymeans including vertical shaft 41 (Fig. 4) passing through boss 38 yoflower frame sections 3| and journaled in bushings 48. On the upper endof shaft 4,1 is secured a driving pinion 49 meshing with gear teeth 5|formed on the inside of oneof ring rflanges 42. A bevel gear 52 issecured on theprojecting lower end of shaft 41, and meshes with bevelpinion 53 (Fig. 1) on shaft54 driven from Reeves drive 8. It is thusseen that rotation of shaft 41 results in rotation ofthe annular drivingmeans for the pipe. The axis of shaft 41 is the axis about which splitframe 3|, 32 can be angularly adjusted, by Virtue of the journalmounting which boss 36 provides. As a result, the angular adjustment canbe effected without disturbing in any manner the driving connection.

Means is provided to effect angular adjustment of the driving mechanismwith respect to the axis of the pipe. A bracket 51 (Figs. l and 3) isprovided on lower frame section 3| in which is pivotally mountedthreaded rod 58 having screw threaded thereon rhub 59 of hand-wheel 6I.Hub 59 is journaled and held against axial movement in bracket 62secured to support 31. Turning of hand-wheel 6 I will, hence, result inangular movement of split frame 3 I, 32 together lwith the driving ringtherein, about .the upright axis of drive shaft 41.

In operation, the pipe extends through the annular driving mechanismtherefor, and rests upon the inner edge of detachable driving ortraction ring section 43, which edge may be knurled if so desired,although the knurling is not necessary. If the frame 3|, 32 is adjusted,so that the plane of the driving ring is exactly perpendicular in Yahorizor'ital plane, to the longitudinal axis of theV section 43contacting and Vsupportingithe.under-i surface vof the pipe alongfanextended'V arc; extending in the directionof the arc. of the'.A pipe, asis shown more clearly fin V`.Eig.1.3.f Rotation of. the driving. ring.'will,..then,n1.result. in. a .longitudinal movement as well asa rotarymovement. being imparted vto the pipe; the .ratio .between suchmovements. being determined bythe angular set-. ting of the drivingmechanism. Roll 3 adjusted so thatstripJileads-.of substantiallyparallelto the plane ofthe drivingringasis .shownin'z Figure 2. .i f. ..z

Because contact between thepipe andthe drivingV ring isV over anextendedarc,.a.positive traction drive obtains. For Aany given 'sizepipeand ringsection43, this. extended contactwill obtain up to a. certain point.rBeyond such point, fural ther movement of the frame 3|; 32v willresult-in the pipe-being lifted out' ofgline contact with the tractionor driving ring. 'Ihereforeshould it be desiredto adjust ,beyond suchpoint, soA as to increase the Ylinea/r speed of'` theV pipe. a :ringsec,- tion 43 having .a greater internal diametershonld be substituted.This can be readily donemby removing lfasteningmeans 46,.andsubstitutinggthe different size ringsection (l-for the onealready inplace. In actual practice, the proper size ring section I3 can beselected forpipes-varying in diameter within a predetermined range; andsuch section will provide for allpracticalratios of 4lionlgitudinal androtary movements'. It is onlyrvwhen itis desired to wrapfpipeotadiameter-outside of such range that a newV ring sectionhastobersubstituted. Ring ,sectionsV 43- or varying internal diameters can beprovided with the machine and the proper size cank be selected for useywiiihtlie size of pipe to be wrapped. 1

-The weight of the .pipe aloneissuflicient to' cause it to restrmlyintrac'tive engagement,-

with the innerfedg'e ofY driving ring `section '43.

However, to insure. suchengagement, spring pressed rollers are,`preferably; providedto pressI the pipe.againstjtheinneredge of` ringsection 43. The rollers 66 (Fig. l)y are j'ournaled in'forks secured torods'. Each rod 68 isrslidably: mount` ed in an externally threadedsleev'e; alsogea'ch rod |58 is journaledinrsleeve GS-andfhas Aits axisslightly offset with respectfvto theijonrnal axis oi the rollerto'provideacasterl'eectionthe roller. Thus, the rollers `|58can'lautomatically assumev any position. in' compliance withfthemovements of. the pipe.. A spring 1| isv intere posed between eachA.sleeve ,69 and each `fork VEl, to urge .the rollerV into Contact"with"`.the pipe. Preferably, a sleeve Y|59" provided at `each side ofthe frame/3|, $2;` and each sleeveisfthreaded in an end ofcross arm 'l2fsecured to' the upper ranie'f section32 by means of screwf'laFig.4),..7`Be1- cause of the threaded mounting fof sleeves |59, the pressureon springs 1| can be.y adjusted bylturning ofthe sleeves..r` To effectsiniultaneous'adjus'tf ment of spring ,'pr'essure,Y sleevesg .areYconnected for movement together' by chainlM `(Figs. 1 and 2) engagingsprockets 'I6 onthesleevesjy anda handwheel on one of the.sleevesyenables turning' thereof tothe, desirednposition. a f.

In the modification of thefdriving" or, feeding mechanism vdisclosedjinFigsj and?, the prin;`

ciple of construction is the same as that kalready described,exceptthattwo drivingunits are 'ern-l ployedfin .tandem and in staggeredrelationship. To designate .the partsfof each driving unit, which arethesame as that.` for the one unit disclosedv ini Figs. l .through 5,the same' referencev charac ters are employed.. A spring pressed casterrollery '|8 is, preferably, positioned between thedriving units of Figs.6 and 7, and is slidably and rotatably mounted, by rod 19 and threadedsleeve 80,.on,

cross armLBl which is secured to the frame of eachnunitby studs 82. .Arm8| is journaled about'v studs 82; eachof which studs lies in the journalaxis about .which theframeszBl, 32 .are angularly adjustable,so'thatadjustment of the frames can be accomplished without removing.ar-m..8|.. Althoughit is preferred .that the inner. edgeiof the drivingor traction ring section 43 :havefanunbroken surface, orcontact'arcportionin order'. to provide for maximum surface .tractionwith the -pipefor a given lengthof arc,g this is vnot nec- Y essary. Figs. 8 and 9ldepict a modificationv in which the .driving ringand, consequently,contactv arc are composed of` a plurality-of separate members 86 mountedonthe rotatable Dart.

M1. j Members 86 projectv radially and are, .prefera-bly, radiallyadjustable to enable adjustment of Y the internal ldiameter of thetraction ring which Y members 86 form.A For the latter purpose, ringpartf4|1 has aplurality. of radialslots ,81. communicating with radialgrooves 88 in which members 86 are seated. Each.memberifisheld in'adjusted position bybolts 8S passing through-the member and through theslotl 8,1; nuts securing the bolts against movement. In orderv thateach,

of members 86 can be properly positioned readiiy so thatthe inner endsof the lmembers cuan/form a true circle, ring part All is Apreferablyprovided witha series ofindicating lines 9| adjacent each memberL 86;and a complementary line .9 Eis 4provided on each member 86. f Thus, byproper matching V- of allv lines 92 with a. selected ,line

lines 9|, the. adjustment of members 86- caribe accurately accomplished.

Fig. 10` illustrates aiurther y modified construction, in .which theinner edge ofring part` 431 is formed ofltraction enhancing material,such as rubber. l"Iheinner edgefof ring part 4315is`. provided withlanannular-grooveY in which is held the rubber ring 95. l

The provision of the ,resilient rubber ring.` is particularly desirablefor engagement with objects coated with frangible `r'nateriaL!*such asenameLinasmuch as the rubber ring will pre# cludescratching vorchippingof such material.

j' From the preceding description, it is seen that I` have provided adriving mechanism for 'supporting andvfeedingan arcuately shaped objectwith a'rcombined rotary and longitudinal movement, which is `of simpleconstruction, and is therefore easy and economical to build.The'annulardriving means,- which is of- `larger diameter than thediameter of the object to be driven, when set at an anglewith respectvto the Aaxis of the object, has an effective -arc contact with theobject over a large-areato provide for positive traction propulsion ofthe object. The length of arc contact with the object can be controlledby adjusting.

the'angulnar Yposition of the driving meanswith. f

respect to the axis of thevobject. `Since the driv-` ing means hascontact with the object over an extended area, ,theV object can bedriven without applicationofpressure on the driving means, 'as

isfnecessary with respect to thel roller type of.

@riveehamctsrieed bly fipposedvar Contact,..-

means 'and the object.. i Y n I claim:

1. Mechanismrforimparting a combinedv rotary and longitudinal movementto a preformedii-object, comprising annular .object supporting. meansvrotatable about an axis and through. whichz'the. object is adapted topass,.and means for mounting.. said annular ymeans atan `angle-withrespectto the axis ofisaid object. i

2. Mechanism for imparting a combinedrotary and longitudinal movementyto` a substantially cy.-v lindrically shaped preformed object-comprisinga rotatable ring having' inner means adapted to contact andsupport saidobjectvalongY anrarc; and vmeans for mounting said ring atan angle withrespect to the axisv of said object;

3. Mechanism for impartingY a combinedrotary and longitudinalmovementtof a substantially cylindrically shaped preformedobject,comprising annular means having an inner surface adapted to contact andsupport said object alonganarc extendingin thedirection of the arc ofsaid ob ject, means for mounting jsaid means for rota. tion in a plane'disposed atan angle to-the axis of ksaid object, and means foreffecting rotation of said annularmeans. i

4. `Mechanism for imparting avcombinedrotary and longitudinal movementto a substantially cylindrically'shaped preformed object, comprising arotatable ring -the inner edge-of which' is adapted-to support saidobject along an extended arc, and means for mounting -said ring atananglewith respect to the axis of said object; Y

5. Mechanism yfor imparting ay combined ro' tary and longitudinal`movement to anV object, comprising yan annular member rotatable about anaxis, a plurality of object-contacting'mem# bers, means vfor mountingsaid object-contacting members for radial adjustment on'r said annularmember to dene a selected size of traction arc" for said object, andmeans for-mounting said annular *member* at an angle With respect to theaxis of said object. i

6. Mechanism `for imparting a combined .rotary andA longitudinalmovement to a preformed object, comprising an annular object supportingmember rotatable about. an axis vand through' which the object isadapted to pass, a ring` of resilient traction enhancing. material.secured .for rotation with said member and adapted to.con. tact saidobject along an extended.arc,.and means for. `mounting said. member. atan. angle withv re-V. spect to the axis of said object.

7. Mechanismfor imparting ai combined ro-- tary and longitudinalmovement to a substantially cylindrically shaped preformed object,comprising annular means adapted to surround said object. and carryV theentire :Weight of the .portion fof. the object .surrounded thereby,means for mountingv said annular means atan angle lwith 'respectto' saidobject, and means for rotating said? annular means about its center.

8. In a pipewrapping apparatus; annular means adapted to surroundvand'to support" said pipe along an extended aro `and 'disposed'at' anlangle with 'respect to the'axis of saidpipe,"and means for rotatingsaid* annular means Vto l feed the pipe zwltha .combined .rotary Aandlongitudinal movement-a. Y Y

9.1Mechanism for.- imparting a. combined rotary.: andfxlongitudinakmovement to a preformed obj'ect,.`inc1udins: annularsupporting anddriving if,

meansv adaptedto surround. said object, and. disposed'inxaxplane atannangleto the direction of longitudinal-movement ofsadobject;

10. Mechanisiarrv for fimparting. a combined roandY longitudinalfmovement'to a preformed object, including` annular driving;meansadapted tcm-:support .andav surround: said..'object and disposedinta plane aman-.angle tothe direction of longitudinal'H movement :of:..said object, said annular .means vhavingitaxtraction arc contact withsaidnbect.

11. MechanismA forimparting: a combined rotary andlongitudinal movementtoa cylindrically shaped preformed object, includingannulardriving.:.mean.s..4 of :larger: diameter than .that Vof saidobjecta and adapted'rto .sur-round. and. support said object;isaiddrivingA meansfbeing disposed in a planeta't; ank angles; to thedirection of longitudinal Vmovement of said: object so as to'have arccontact with said object..`

12 Mechanism-for imparting a .combined rotary-andlongitudinalmovement toa preformed object, including an 'annularv driving Vmember through-which the'y object can .pass and adapted to supportthe entireweight of'the portion of the object passing therethrough,V said annularmemberbeing-#disposedA in a plane at an angle to the-dlrectionv-oflongitudinal movement of said object. Y

` `13. Mechanism for impartingfa combined rotary and longitudinalmovement -to a preformed object; includinga driving ring through whichtheobject 'can pass and a'daptedto support the entire weight of1theportionlof the object passing therethrough,4 said Aringbeingdispos'ed in a plane at an-angle `to the direction'oflongitudinalmovement of' said object-fandv having an.A edge formed toV provide"tractionalV engagement with Asaid object.

`14.` Mechanismfor imparting a' combined rotary-and longitudinalmovement to a cylindrically shaped'preformedobject, comprising arotatable annular4 member through 'which the object canpass randservingsolely to propel andsupport said lobject;andmeansfoii'mounting said mem-15. Mechanism for "impartingacombined rotary and longitudinal movementto acylindrically shaped preformed"object,comprising a rotatable.annularimember 'through Whichthe object canV passand serving solely topropel and support said object,'said.:member beinggdisposed atan anglewith respect4 to. the direction of longitudinal. movement vof .saidobject and 'being' adapted to have' arc'contactwith an under portion ofsaid object, and'yieldabl'e means for vengaging anopposite portion ofsaid'ob'ject to cooperate in main-V tainingsaidarc contact.'v

16. Mechanism' for imparting a combined 1'0- tary'and'long'itudinalmovement to a cylindrical-y 1y shapedpreformedobject, comprising arotatable annular .member through which' the object can;pass` andserving to propel said object and to support the entireweight oftheportion of the object passing therethrough, said member having aknurled edge .toxprovide' tra'ctionalA engagement. saidbbject,yyieldable" means engageable 3&1

with said object to cooperatein maintaining said tractional engagement,and means for mounting.

said member for adjustment about an axis perpendicular to the directionof longitudinal movement of said object to enable positioning of saidmember at a selected angle With respect to the axis of said object.

17. Mechanism for imparting a combined ro.- tary and longitudinalmovement to a cylindrically shaped preformed object, comprising arotatable annular driving unit through which the object can pass andconstructed to have arc contact with and support said object only alongone side of said object, said annular unit being disposed at an angle tothe direction of longitudinal move- WILLIAM F. FOCHA.

